She walked out to see everyone at the table. The table roared with laughter and Riley knew she could slip away. Instead, she walked over to the bar for another drink. She didn't drink much, but she needed to drown her emotions. The bartender smirked as Riley sat down. He didn't even ask, she hadn't changed her drink order. Riley was fiddling with her hair when she felt his presence. He stood by the bar dressed in an all-black tux and he leaned on the grain.

"Scotch, neat," he asked the bartender that was flirting with Riley.

"And whatever she was drinking," Lucas said and leaned closer towards Riley.

The bartender picking up on the subtle hints walked away to get the drinks. Riley fumbled with the clutch Maya forced her to bring. She pulled out a ten-dollar bill and tried to give it to him. He looked at the bill and then back at her, her eyes locked onto the bar.

"What are you doing?" He asked and she looked at him.

"Paying for my drink," Riley said incredulously.

"First that wouldn't even cover the soup here, second it's on me," Lucas said.

"Uh first, he's been giving me ten-dollar drinks, and second I can afford it," Riley said annoyed.

"That's because he is trying to screw you," Lucas said and Riley gasped.

"Oh come on, I bet you he doesn't even know your eye color, he's been staring at you since you walked in," Lucas huffed.

Riley rolled her eyes and popped her lips. The bartender walked over and Riley shut her eyes.

"What color are my eyes!" She asked him.

Both the bartender and Lucas were astonished by her random outburst. Lucas looked at the bartender who was obviously sweating at the random question and Lucas grabbed his scotch.

"Green?" The bartender said and Riley let out a disappointed sigh.

"No," Riley sighed and fluttered her eyes open.

The bartender placed her drink down and disappeared without another word. Riley turned to Lucas and glared at him with malice in her eyes.

"Lucas-" Riley was cut off when Lucas turned to her.

"They're pools of chocolate brown, but in the sun they almost look like honey," Lucas said.

"What?" Riley squeaked.

"Your eyes, they're brown," Lucas muttered.

He pulled at his collar and walked away from her quickly. As soon as he was gone Maya appeared.

"What was that about?" Maya asked.

"Nothing, nothing," Riley lied.

"You're lying, what happened? Why did Smackle follow you? What is going on?!" Maya rambled as Riley sighed.

"Smackle thinks Lucas has feelings for me, and she figured out about Izzy, and I need to drink, I need to drown in liquor, I need to forget," Riley said and picked up her drink.

"Well …" Maya trailed.

"Maya!" Riley snapped.

"You two have the subtlety of a bomb, I don't understand how Alli hasn't picked up on it, but I do not condone any of it, plus Zay is one shot away from exploding on Lucas," Maya said and raised an eyebrow.

"Zay is my roommate and has been in love with me for two years, we've almost … twice" Riley confessed.

"Okay enough of that," Maya said with wide eyes and took Riley's drink from her hand.

"Maya!" Riley whined and Maya gave Riley a look.

"Maybe we should go, we can go get tuna melts from the diner and-" Maya was cut off when Zay walked over.

"I need to talk to you,"

Maya made a face as Zay ignored it. Riley nodded as Maya wobbled between the two of them.

"Alone Maya," Zay snapped and Riley could see the pain in Maya's eyes but also she noticed the tone of his voice.

He was drunk, and he was angry.

"Zay!" Riley scolded as Maya slowly backed away from the two.

"What is going on with you!" Zay snapped.

"Zay maybe you should calm down," Maya tried to intervene.

"You're pathetic! Throwing yourself at him!" Zay continued and Riley flinched.

He had never spoken to her this way, he was always sweet and kind even when he was upset with her. He never made her feel less than herself even when she was in the wrong. Right now she couldn't recognize the man in front of her.

"Zay … you're drunk," Riley whispered.

"And you are sitting there flirting with someone who doesn't love you anymore," Zay spat.

"Are we doing this right now!" Riley snapped.

"You tell me, this is supposed to be about Josh! Not you or him or the past! You over here acting … pathetic!" Zay and Maya stepped in.

"Zay …" Maya began.

"I am so sorry Riley … I am so … I have to go," Zay said with regret washing over his face.

"Zay!" Riley called as he rushed out of her view.

Riley could see Luas looking over at her over his shoulder and she tried not to break down right there.

"Let's eat," Maya whispered and grabbed Riley's hand.

She directed the brunette to her seat and Riley sat shell shocked. For as long as Riley had known Zay they have never argued as such. Sure there were small headbutts over chores, and bills but never a full-blown out argument, never.

He was drunk.

She had to remind herself of that, he wasn't Zay, he was drunk. She tried her best to interact with the other during the dinner, but their voices were lofty and far. Dinner plates shifted in and out but she could barely remember the taste. She didn't even register when Allison handed her a small white box from the big bags Farkle and Zay brought.

"It is a memory box," Allison giggled and Riley mustered a small smile but didn't open the gift. She ignored the sad look that crossed Allison's face but she just had to make it through.

"Are you okay?"

Riley jumped when she felt his words tickle her neck. He had covertly whispered to her as Allison had Maya and Farkle occupied with a long-winded story.

"Yes," Riley whispered.

"Riley … if this is too much," Lucas continued to whisper.

"I'm fine," Riley gritted and stood from her seat.

She walked away from him, and towards the bathroom for the second time that night. She swiped through her phone and shot her mother a quick text about Izzy and was greeted with a picture of the toddler asleep on Riley's childhood bed. She smiled softly and decided to give her mother a call.

"Hey, how is the dinner?" Topanga's voice greeted her as soon as she picked up.

"Zay and I got into a fight," Riley blurted out.

"Lucas?" Topanga asked.

"I think but also he was drinking and … he doesn't drink, he just left and I am worried! Do I call him? Do I let him calm down, Mom I don't know what to do," Riley whimpered and tried not to cry.

"Let him be for the night, you two will be right as rain in the morning," Topanga advised and Riley sighed.

"Thanks," Riley said, defeated.

"Well this can cheer you up, Josh walked around today," Topanga said and Riley grinned.

"That's great right!?" Riley questioned.

"It's good," Topanga insisted.

"Thanks, Mom, I needed that," Riley said and looked at herself in the mirror.

"I know," Topanga said and Riley nodded.

"See you later Honey," Topanga said and Riley could hear the beeps signaling the call was over.

She placed her phone into the clutch and fixed her makeup in the mirror. Wiping away her smudged makeup and reglossing her lips. Her face looked slightly pink from the crying but it added something. A flick of her hair and she accepted this was as good as it was going to get.

As Riley walked back to the table she saw Lucas drinking another drink. His fifth to sixth scotch, and he wasn't swaying. She noticed Maya and Farkle had disappeared.

"They left," He said as if he read her mind.

"Oh," Riley responded and pulled out her phone.

Maya Hart: G2G, overtime shift! Farkle is walking me! C U and Izzy tomorrow.

Riley sighed and swiped through her apps until she landed on Uber. There was no way she was going to walk in these heels. She could hear Allison laughing with the waitstaff and walked them over.

"Oh dear, where did everyone go?" She asked.

"Gone," Lucas said.

"Allison thank you for dinner," Riley began and opened her clutch. She didn't know how much to give the bubbly blonde and pulled out two hundred dollars. Light bill.

"Heavens no, my treat Riley, your Joshua's family," Allison said and hugged Riley without permission.

"Thanks, I better go, I'm trying to order an Uber," Riley said as she removed herself from the blonde's clutches.

"Uber! Dear no, I have to stay but … Boo Bear, please give her a ride home, do you know where she lives" Allison asked.

Before Riley could object, Lucas stood to his feet.

"Yeah," Lucas said.

Her heart hammered, she didn't want him to be close to anywhere Isabella was nor did she want to be in a tightly enclosed space with him.

"Goodnight Riley," Allison said and hugged Riley once more.

Numbly and stupidly she followed Lucas out. He stopped in front of a big black Jeep and unlocked the passenger door. He turned to the stunned Riley and made a face.

"I'm tired," he growled.

Riley snapped out of her thoughts and got into the car. He fixed her dress before closing the door softly. She could feel the knots in her stomach tightened. He slipped in next to her and started the car.

He sped out of the parking lot and she clicked her seatbelt. The tension was thick in the air and her mind stuck on Smackle's words. She glanced over to him, his gaze on everything but her.

"Thank you," Riley said, breaking the silence.

"Alli would never let me hear the end of it"

"Sorry," Riley whispered and rolled her eyes.

"Besides your tipsy, you had four drinks," He muttered.

Riley squared her eyes on him and asked him "You were counting?"

"No, it was a guess."

"Right," Riley said and sucked her teeth slightly.

She leaned her head on the window trying her best to keep her emotions in check. They were both tipsy, and emotional while locked in a tin box.

"Fuck" He growled as Riley saw the sea of red lights in front of them.

Cars honked but they were in standstill traffic. She glanced at him and watched him grip the steering wheel. He was tense and she knew it was because of her.

"I can walk," Riley said, unclipping the seatbelt.

"Don't be ridiculous," Lucas said and rubbed his eyes.

"Well this can't be safe, you had seven scotches, I can catch the subway," Riley retorted.

"Six," Lucas said and reached over to her. He clipped the seatbelt back in and flicked the radio on.

War of Hearts by Ruelle started playing and Riley shifted uncomfortably. Lucas gave her a once-over as she adjusted her dress and Lucas chuckled. Riley bit her lip before letting the words come out.

Come to me

In the night hours

I will wait for you

"What's so funny?"

"How clueless you are right now."

"Excuse me?" Riley questioned and her mouth gaped open at his words.

"Zay likes you," He said and leaned back into the seat.

"What?"

"Zay likes you" Lucas stressed and Riley fidgeted in her seat.

Traffic hadn't moved, it felt as if the world stopped for just a moment, and she couldn't breathe. He sat next to her, cool and calm but a bit on the edge.

"Lucas-" Riley began and Lucas cut her off.

"I mean it doesn't help you're all this when it's not you," Lucas said and gestured to the dress and her makeup.

"You don't know me," Riley said defensively and crossed her arms.

The car inched further into traffic and Riley stopped herself from jumping out of the vehicle. She had half a mind that he would have grabbed her back into the car making the situation worse.

And I can't sleep

'Cause thoughts to devour

Thoughts of you consume

"I know you're uncomfortable, I know that you were disappointed that the bartender wanted to screw you and wasn't genuinely nice. I know you" Luas said as the light turned green and he slammed his hand on the horn.

"I think I look nice," Riley said softly and ignored the pricking feeling in her eyes.

The light turned red and Lucas threw his hands up. He turned to her and could see that her eyes had watered over. His voice was a bit softer at her response.

"I didn't say you didn't"

"Right you're basically saying I'm ugly" Riley retorted. Her frustration mixed with liquor made talking to him easier but dangerous.

"Every guy there was looking at you, I mean look at what you're wearing," Lucas mumbled as he gestured towards her dress.

"A nice dress!" Riley said.

"A sexy dress, a dress that leaves very little left to the imagination," Lucas said and the light turned green.

He sped up and swerved around a few cars. She could feel that he had urgently wanted to get away from her, this conversation, this moment.

"I can't be sexy?" Riley teased and Lucas sighed.

"What? Maya can be sexy? Smackle? I can't, why? Because I am just Riley," Riley snapped.

"You would never just Riley," Lucas mumbled.

The liquor reached its full peak and Riley plunged into the can of worms she was unleashing with every word.

"You said every guy … Did that include you?" Riley dared.

Lucas didn't answer but gripped the steering wheel, and pretended he didn't ask her prodding questions.

I can't help but love you

Even though I try not to

I can't help but want you

I know that I'd die without you

"Right," Riley said and smacked her lips together.

She ran a hand through her hair and leaned back against the window. She felt his eyes on her and she turned to him. They stared at one another, probably for too long because she licked her lips and bit her lip. A tell of hers, they knew it, it was what she did when she was gearing up to say something or do something daring.

"Can't answer the question, Friar? I mean you keep bringing attention to it?" Riley pushed.

"Why are you trying to argue?" Lucas asked.

"What?" Riley asked and could feel the shift.

"You want to fight? Do you think fighting will fix us? It won't," Lucas said.

"Who said I wanted that," Riley asked and rolled her eyes.

"Oh," Lucas said and Riley could see the pain in his eyes for a moment.

"Did you?" Riley said her voice softer.

He didn't respond and she could see that they were nearing her home. They were both tipsy, they can pretend anything they said wasn't said. If anything she could jump out of the car and run home, it was just a few blocks.

"Did you want to fix us?" Riley pushed.

"Riley …" Lucas began and could see his hands had begun to tremble.

"We aren't teenagers anymore," Riley confessed.

"I don't want to open this box right now Riley, I do not want to have this conversation when we are both … filled with …

"Liquid courage?" Riley finished.

"Fine … yes, Riley … this dress you are wearing is …. Attractive but … a dress and a face full of makeup won't change us! It won't fix that you left! You left! Why are you attacking me! You left me! You broke my heart, and I am happy with Allison … I love her!" Lucas yelled and ran through a red light which made Riley yelp as a car blared its horn.

"Lucas!" Riley screamed and Lucas slammed his foot on the brake.

Lucas unclipped his seatbelt and instantly grabbed Riley's hand.

"I am sorry, are you okay?" He asked as he checked her.

"I don't know what happened!" Lucas continued and Riley stopped him.

"I do," Riley said as Lucas shook as he held her hand.

"I am so sorry," Lucas continued.

"Look at me," Riley said and held his face in her hands.

"I am fine but this was probably a bad idea, I shouldn't have pushed you, I … I should go, I can walk from here," Riley said as Lucas glanced at her lips and leaned closer to her.

Her breath hitched in her throat and she could see the hesitation in his face. This wasn't fair to anyone but it is something they could forget, right? She wanted to lean in, he had given her an inch, and she wanted to take it badly. He leaned closer and she could see in his eyes pain and drunkenness.

"We shouldn't," Riley whispered.

"I know," Lucas whispered back and she could feel his lips lightly graze hers.

Sparks ignited in her body and she trembled. Riley unclipped her seatbelt and quickly jumped out of the car. Her heart hammered in her chest and the thought of being that close. She slammed the door shut and reprimanded herself. Lucas smacked the steering wheel and let out the breath he was holding. He lowered the passenger window and looked at her lost in thought.

"Riley!"

She turned back to him, her cheeks flushed, eyes vulnerable, hair flowing. He gulped before saying the two words they both regretted.

"To answer your question, especially me,"